Busy Bees Childcare Centre

Busy Bees Childcare Centre Ministry of Defence, Administration Office, Carver Barracks, Wimbish, SAFFRON WALDEN, Essex, CB10 2YA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 February 2015 9 June 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Staff have a strong focus on developing children's communication and language skills. They use effective teaching strategies to ensure the optimal progress of all children.  Staff make excellent use of the outdoor area to promote children's learning across the curriculum. The planning for learning and teaching is consistently good.  Parents are highly valued as partners at the pre-school. Staff work exceptionally well to promote children's emotional well-being and that of all family members. This means parents engage superbly in all aspects of children's care and learning.  Staff use effective behaviour management strategies that support children well in managing their feelings and developing their self-control. This contributes significantly to their personal, social and emotional development.  The monitoring of children's progress and staff practice is effective in driving improvement. Staff, parents, children and other professionals contribute to reviews and

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This provision is good

this helps the staff to set challenging targets to raise standards further.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The youngest children are not always able to independently explore some activities on offer. For example, some boxes used during free play are not of an appropriate size.  The arrangements for snack time do not currently allow all children to choose when they eat and drink. This limits their opportunity to make decisions for themselves and to be fully independent.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance younger children's spontaneous and independent play experiences by providing resources, such as the boxes, that are more appropriately sized  include the younger children in the rolling snack routine, supporting their emerging independence further, as they learn to make decision and choices for themselves.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the rooms, the outdoor area and conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector, staff and children had discussions at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at documentation related to the management of the setting, including safeguarding procedures, children's progress and self-evaluation.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to at the inspection and from information on feedback forms and questionnaires.  The inspector checked the evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children and the suitability of committee members.

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who attend. This is good

Children thrive at the pre-school. The quality of teaching is consistently good and frequently outstanding. Staff are very skilled, using small group focus activities to help children with specific aspects of their learning. The phonics teaching is successful and the oldest children are rapidly gaining a secure foundation in letters and sounds recognition. This ensures their readiness for school. The bug hunt is particularly successful because they use a list of mini-beasts that they will definitely find outside in the winter. Children delight in searching carefully among the branches to find the ladybirds and spiders. Staff maintain meticulous records of children's progress, sharing these with parents to keep them up-to-date with their child's learning. Occasionally, the youngest children struggle with managing some of the large resources, such as the boxes. This does not always maximise their spontaneous play.

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good

Children are happy and settled. The very strong relationships with families help children to feel confident and secure. The pre-school environment is filled with a wealth of resources that staff generally use exceptionally well to help children develop their capabilities and their positive attitude to learning. Children behave well because staff are consistent and clear in their approach to helping children understand the high expectations. Children are active and healthy as they have plenty of fresh air and exercise. Staff help them to learn about eating well and they use their time on the allotment to teach children about where food comes from and to encourage children to make healthy choices for themselves. Children understand how good hygiene is important to their health. They are responsible and happily help others with small tasks. Children are developing their independence. The youngest children begin to manage their clothing and the older children take responsibility

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good

for pouring drinks, serving and clearing away the snack. The youngest children are not yet included in the open snack routines to increase their independence.

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provision is good

The leadership and management of the pre-school is very effective. Staff understand the Early Years Foundation Stage and fulfil their responsibilities to safeguard children successfully. The culture of reflection and evaluation along with rigorous monitoring of staff practice is embedded. The team are using the information gained to secure improvements. This is having a significant, positive impact on raising standards at the pre- school. Staff regularly attend training to develop their skills. Consequently, the quality of teaching continues to rise. The manager and staff closely monitor children's progress, quickly identifying gaps in their learning. The manager works with the key person and parents to secure early interventions to help children achieve their goals more rapidly. Staff have successful partnerships with local schools that ensure continuity in learning and a smooth move to the next stage in children's education.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 650130 Local authority Essex Inspection number 979633

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Type of provision

Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 38 Name of provider Busy Bees Childcare Centre Committee Date of previous inspection 9 June 2014 Telephone number 01799 523542

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Type of provision

Busy Bees Childcare Centre registered in 1993. It is situated in premises at the Carver Barracks and is managed by a voluntary committee. The pre-school opens each weekday from 9am to 12 noon, during term time. The pre-school receives funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3.

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Type of provision

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Type of provision

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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